By Mary Powers
Lent is the 40-day season of preparation for Jesus’ resurrection at Easter, a time to return to the Lord and examine our hearts. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we are called to a conversion of heart to follow Christ more faithfully. Here are some traditions to bring to your family home this Lent:
Stations of the Cross
Parishes across the archdiocese offer Stations of the Cross each Friday. This ancient tradition walks with Jesus on His way to Calvary, from Pilate condemning Jesus to death to Jesus’ burial in the tomb. You can also pray the Stations of the Cross at home as a family. You can find examples of prayers written by St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Faustina or Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen online.
Crown of thorns
Another tradition families can add to their Lenten journey illustrates the importance of service and acts of kindness. Families can weave a crown of thorns out of clay and put toothpicks into it for thorns. Then, over the course of Lent, when someone offers up a sacrifice or does an act of kindness, they can take a thorn out of the crown of thorns. The goal is to remove all the thorns by Easter Sunday. After Easter, you can paint the crown gold to turn it into a king’s crown ahead of the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
The underlying message symbolized by the crown of thorns is that Jesus suffered because of our sins. Each time we offer up sacrifices or do good works for others, it alleviates His suffering and brings Him joy.
Rice Bowl
Many parishes and schools around the archdiocese participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl program. The Rice Bowl supports the work of CRS in more than 100 countries around the world, including ongoing programs in agriculture, education and other areas, as well as natural disasters and other emergencies. In addition, 25% of funds collected stay local, supporting programs that address hunger in our local communities. Look for the CRS Rice Bowl boxes at your parish and school to participate as an act of almsgiving this Lent.
Triduum at home
Make Holy Week sacred in your home.
On Holy Thursday, hold a special dinner with your family reading the Scriptures about the Passover. Readings can be from Exodus 12: 1-28 and Matthew 26: 17-35.
On Good Friday, spend the hours of noon to 3 p.m. in prayer by attending a Good Friday service at your parish, watching a movie on the passion of Jesus (“Jesus of Nazareth,” “The Passion of the Christ,” etc.), watching the Good Friday service at the Vatican or reading from the Bible or other books on the life of Jesus. Turning off distractions and focusing on Jesus’ passion, even for a short time, helps us to enter into the pascal mystery, preparing us for Easter Sunday.
On Holy Saturday, honor Mary by praying a rosary in the morning to reflect on Our Lady’s sorrow. Families can also prepare for Easter baking and cooking by bringing their food to be blessed at church on Holy Saturday. Find out if your parish offers this traditional blessing.
Mary Powers is the assistant director of communications and media relations for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
